Hawks show visiting Trent that the best Defense is a Great Offence
The Laurier Golden Hawks Women’s Rugby Team secured a dominant 58-0 victory over the Trent University Excalibur on Saturday, Sept. 20, snapping a two-game losing streak and evening their season record at 2-2. The win wasn’t just decisive — it was historic, marking the Hawks’ third consecutive victory over Trent, with their last loss to the Excalibur dating back to Sept. 30, 2022.
This victory also gave Laurier bragging rights in the all-time head-to-head series, breaking the tie and putting the Hawks ahead 11-10. To make things even sweeter, the 58-point margin is the largest win the Hawks have ever recorded against Trent, cementing this matchup as one of their most commanding performances in recent memory.
From the opening whistle, Laurier set the tone. Their defense refused to give Trent any room to operate, forcing turnovers and keeping the Excalibur scoreless throughout the match. By halftime, the Hawks had already built up a 22-0 lead, with relentless tackling and sharp defensive pressure cutting off Trent’s momentum at every turn. The message was clear: this was Laurier’s game to control.
The second half only widened the gap. The Hawks turned defensive stops into offensive opportunities, running clinical plays and punishing Trent with quick ball movement and decisive finishing. Over the course of the final 40 minutes, Laurier piled on 36 more points, showcasing both depth and stamina as they never allowed the Excalibur a chance to recover.
A number of players rose to the occasion offensively, with three Hawks crossing the try line more than once. Abby Byres (3rd year arts major, FB), Sadie Moorhouse (3rd year film major, P), and Abigail Tape (2nd year Enviro Std. major, H) each scored two tries, demonstrating the team’s ability to spread the ball around and capitalize on different attacking options. It wasn’t a case of one standout carrying the squad — it was a collective effort that saw the Hawks firing on all cylinders.
Assistant coach Nik Krpan praised the performance and pointed to the team’s mentality as a driving factor behind the result. “It’s a credit to their talent and ability to motivate themselves,” Krpan said. He highlighted the balance of the team’s play as the keys to victory: “An aggressive offence, a very aggressive defense, execution… and teamwork.” That combination not only frustrated Trent but also gave Laurier the confidence to dominate both halves of the game.
The win came at a critical time in the Hawks’ season. Sitting at 1-2 heading into the matchup, the team knew they needed to turn their record around if they wanted to stay competitive in the OUA standings. The victory vaulted them into a tie for third place in the OUA Women’s Rugby Championships and set the tone for them to win their next crucial test: the Battle of Waterloo, which took place on Sept. 28.
With momentum finally swinging in their favor, the Hawks looked poised to build on their success. After a statement win like this one, optimism runs high, and Laurier has shown they have both the talent and determination to push deeper into the season with confidence.
Contributed Photo/Lauren Habinski
